On Wednesday evening, many lawmakers left Washington after successfully passing a funding bill that will keep the government operating through December 20. However, a bipartisan group of senators is scheduled to meet on Thursday morning with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Capitol Hill.
This meeting will include key Senate leaders such as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as other top officials who will meet with Zelenskyy separately.
The timing of Zelenskyy’s visit is sensitive, particularly as he has recently faced criticism from some Republican lawmakers. This includes backlash over comments where he described GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance as “too extreme,” as well as scrutiny related to a visit to a weapons factory in Pennsylvania. As Zelenskyy attempts to bolster support for Ukraine, he aims to convince Washington of his strategic vision for overcoming Russia in the ongoing conflict.
Many lawmakers who interacted with Zelenskyy earlier in the week, like Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), report that the Ukrainian leader currently feels equipped to sustain his fight against Russian aggression.
U.S. Lawmakers Move Forward After Passing Funding Bill, Welcoming Zelenskyy Amid Political Tensions
Murphy conveyed that Zelenskyy has indicated he possesses the necessary resources to continue. However, the political dynamics remain precarious as the Biden administration and Zelenskyy navigate the complexities of bipartisan support.
In addition to foreign affairs, the Senate is also addressing domestic matters, with Schumer announcing the next Senate vote for November 12. Lawmakers are moving forward with judicial nominees, having confirmed two judges for federal tax courts.
Furthermore, the Senate took action to rename a federal building in San Francisco in honor of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), highlighting ongoing legislative activities outside of foreign relations.
On another front, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) initiated the first hearing of a bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump. Kelly criticized the Secret Service’s management of a July 13 shooting incident, attributing failures to prevent the event to inadequate security measures.
The focus of the task force is to gather insights from state and local law enforcement regarding the day of the shooting, marking an intense examination of the Secret Service’s actions and decisions leading up to the incident.
